Carolinas Hospital System celebrated the one-year anniversary of its collaboration with the Mayo Clinic Care Network at a luncheon on Nov. 28 in the Medical Mall B. Education Room.

Gary Malaer, Carolinas CEO, spoke briefly saying this alliance has been a huge asset for patients and will continue in the future.

“This really comes down to the patients and what we can do for them,” he stated. “If we are able to go above and beyond and help just one patient, that’s all the proof I need. We’ve helped many, many more than that.“

He said the collaboration also allows the opportunity to share best practices and learn from each other.

“We can essentially steal good ideas from everyone,” he said.

Dr. Ryan Uitti, of Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, spoke briefly and showed visuals of how Carolinas doctors and nurses have used the clinic’s Econsult, an online system where physicians and nurses can ask questions and do consults with staff at the Mayo Clinic.

“Econsults is the most powerful tool and it is available to everyone,” he said.

“This has been a great collaboration,” he continued. “We are proud to bring our expertise to the Pee Dee region. “The challenge is ahead. There are more things we can do with this.”

Dr. Ziad Skaff with internal medicine, hematology and oncology, spoke saying “This is really something rare. Both physicians and patients get all options at this institution providing up to six opinions,” he said.

The patients know that if they were at Mayo Clinic this is what they’d receive, he added.

Dr. Rami Zebian of Carolinas Pulmonology and a member of the medical staff, said this collaboration with Mayo Clinic has made a huge difference in the care and recovery of eight patients.

“This team effort is making a difference in our patients’ lives and the lives of their relatives,” he stressed.